If you get frustrated when trying to redeem frequent-flier miles, you have options.

Delta has a Pay With Miles program that allows SkyMiles credit-card holders to redeem miles toward some or all of their ticket price. For example, if the base fare is less than $100, you can redeem 25,000 miles to cover the whole fare). If the base fare is more than $100 but less than $250, you can redeem 10,000 miles for $100 off the fare, or you can use miles to pay for the fare by redeeming 25,000 miles. This program is available only to travelers who have a Gold, Platinum or Reserve SkyMiles American Express card.

With this deal you could nab a coast-to-coast flight for 25,000 miles. Book at delta.com/paywithmiles.

American allows frequent-fliers to redeem miles toward the cost of vacation packages. If you redeem 25,000 miles, you'd get $165.75 off of a vacation; 40,000 miles would save $265.20 on a package. At these rates, miles are worth less than a penny (0.7 cent) per mile. There are great deals on vacation packages this year, so you may find a better deal if you buy one of those and keep your miles. Call (800) 321-2121, aavacations.com/use-aadvantage-miles.asp

United has a worthwhile deal on travel to Europe this spring. Mileage Plus members can redeem 40,000 miles, instead of 55,000 miles, for coach-class travel through May 14. Blackout dates are April 6-15. Travel must be booked online by May 14 at united.com.

The M Resort looks for its piece of Vegas pie

LAS VEGAS – The new M Resort, Spa and Casino has opened during a tough stretch for casinos, but chief executive Anthony Marnell III said timeless tenets – service and value – will push his company forward.

But he acknowledged that filling the 390 rooms at the $1 billion resort after its first month is tougher than he thought it would be.

“I do feel good that I don't have to fill 3,000 of them every night, because that would be a daunting challenge that the Strip is facing right now,” Marnell said. “I think that we can carve out our little tiny niche down here with this product.”

The 90-acre M Resort, about 10 miles south of the Las Vegas resort corridor in the suburb city of Henderson, is depending on locals and drive-in traffic, mostly from California, to become regular customers. Marnell said the hotel is also advertising near the airport.

M Resort has nine restaurants, including a buffet with beer and wine included in its price, as well as a cooking studio that can support television filming. A wine cellar uses a special dispensing system to preserve bottles, allowing it to offer 120 wines by the glass.

Finding a good seat for the solar eclipse

The 2009 total solar eclipse promises to be a long one for viewers in the right spot. A July 18-23 China tour puts travelers outside Shanghai on the coast of the South China Sea on July 22 for nearly six minutes of totality, cloud cover permitting. Other sites on the itinerary are more earthly, Shanghai's Yu Garden and the Bund, plus the classical gardens of Suzhou, with $2,230 covering hotels, meals, sightseeing, excursions and tips. A July 15-23 version of the tour, priced at $2,840, visits Beijing before Shanghai. In both cases, visa fees and international airfare are additional.

Another way to view the eclipse is at sea during a July 15-29 cruise on the Paul Gauguin round trip from Papeete, Tahiti, in the company of Sky & Telescope editor-in-chief Rick Fienberg. Staterooms start at $6,995 per person plus $395 in additional fees, with air travel to Tahiti and shore excursions additional. All three eclipse tours are offered by TravelQuest International and Sky & Telescope magazine. (800-830-1998; onlinetravelquest.com)

Get your will in order, and try the Death Race

Extreme-sports fanatics, take note: The third running of the Death Race is slated for June 27 in Pittsfield, Vt., near Killington.

Designed to be the toughest race in the world, it involves barbed wire, mud, tunnels and other hurdles designed to make competitors drop out. Last year only eight of the 50 entrants ran the entire course. The entry fee is $60 until today and $75 thereafter. (peakraces.com)

Peak Races offers a May 1-3 Death Camp to prepare participants for the race. Located on a farm near Pittsfield, the camp promises at least 30 hours of grueling training for a $200 fee, with lodging and a dinner.